During the last week, one of our local high schools experienced a bomb threat.
Being a graduate in the Class of 1998, bomb threats and school violence weren’t something we had to worry about in school.
We were more concerned about the possibility of tornadoes when our storm siren went off. While it never seemed like we’d take a direct hit from a tornado, it was in my opinion a greater threat than seeing acts of violence.
But in 1999, that all changed. The nation watched live on TV as Columbine High School tragedy played out. We saw students running from the school trying to get to safety. We saw students traumatized about losing their classmates. Fear gripped America especially at the schoolhouse door.
In the weeks following that incident, there were copycat incidents across the country. And it changed the way that school leaders, students and parents respond to threats.
Since then, schools have had to deal with the reality of bomb threats, school shootings and other acts of violence occurring on campus. They might know they are unsubstantiated, but they have to take it seriously because they can’t afford to be wrong. Children’s lives are on the line when they make the decision to enact an emergency plan.
That’s what Newton school administrators did last week. They took the threat seriously because they had to. They knew it was probably a fake call, but in that instance, you have to take precautions anyway.
I applaud Principal Shernice Wilson, Superintendent Nola Bryant and the staff of Newton Municipal School District for taking the threat seriously. They executed an orderly evacuation of the high school that took only four minutes. Students were never in any danger.
Newton first responders got on the scene to secure the school and then waited for the bomb K-9 unit to show up before they could clear the school. Shortly after the sweep, they cleared the school for classes to resume.
Again, you have to take every threat seriously. And it’s great to see that Newton’s emergency plan made it as smooth as possible.
Brent can be reached at bmaze@newtoncountyappeal.com.
